# HOST IMMUNITY TO EBV INFECTION IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 1991 · $275,653

## Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a persistent herpesvirus that is carried
latently and reactivates, usually without harm to the infected
individual.  EBV infects and "immortalizes" or "growth transforms" normal
resting human B cells in vitro driving them to become latently infected
proliferating lymphoblasts.  The virus also plays a central role in
several human diseases, including several B cell neoplasias.  The goal of
this proposal will be to investigate the relationship between normal B
cell biology and the establishment of a latent, persistent infection by
Epstein-Barr virus.  Specifically, we will address two aspects of this
relationship.  First, we will undertake a detailed analysis of how a
model B cell activation gene (Blast-1) is regulated.  Blast-1 is an
adhesion molecule, restricted in its expression to lymphoid and myeloid
cells, that is upregulated by EBV infection.  We will map the minimal
promoter and the sequences responsible for tissue specific expression.
We will establish the relative roles of increased transcription and mRNA
stabilization in activation by EBV.  Regulatory elements so defined will
be mapped.  The mechanism will then be compared to that of other known
activators including IL-4, PMA, IL-lb and ionomycin.  Second, we will
study the relationship between the form of the persistent viral genome
and the differentiation stage of the infected cell.  Specifically, we
will investigate the role of cellular activation stage in determining
whether the virus persists as an episome or integrated.  The viral
sequences involved in episomal amplification will be investigated.
Previously identified integration sites will be cloned and sequenced to
investigate the mechanism of integration.  Lastly, tumor cell lines will
be tested for the presence of integrated EBV genomes by the fluorescence
in situ hybridization technique to provide a definitive answer as to
whether such sequences are or are not present.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128155
- **Project number:** 2R01AI018757-11
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1F5LNUF7W86
- **Principal Investigator:** David A. Thorley-Lawson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $275,653
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1981-09-01 → 1996-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128155

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128155, HOST IMMUNITY TO EBV INFECTION IN VITRO AND IN VIVO (2R01AI018757-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128155. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*